The Division of Biodiversity and Ecological Entomology is divided into three sections with separate but related emphases.
- Section for Biodiversity: Systematics research and the application of that work to conservation are the main areas of the section’s work. We have staff studying plants, fungi, and animals, and particular insects. Much of our work involves pure systematics research, blending morphological and molecular approaches. In addition, staff conduct inventories throughout the region and world and carry out studies of threatened or endangered species and invasive exotic species.
- Section for Biotic Surveys and Monitoring: This section focuses on conducting inventories on high-quality natural areas throughout the state and on federal properties nationwide. These studies provide information necessary for the management of these habitats and the species they support. In addition, these staff also conduct research on systematics, threatened and endangered species biology, and community ecology.
- Section for Ecological Entomology: This section focuses primarily on studies of invasive and indigenous pests that impact cropping systems and the natural environment. This encompasses a broad diversity of research topics, including mosquito-borne diseases, biological control of invasive weeds and insect pests, role of insects in transition from conventional agriculture to organic agriculture, environmental toxicology in relation to aquatic arthropods, and crop pest biology and behavior.
The Division provides curatorial and collection management support of the Survey’s scientific collections, as well as those at the University of Illinois. These collections total about 9.5 million specimens and are the most complete documentation of Illinois’ flora and fauna available anywhere. For several groups of organisms, including amphibians and reptiles, insects, fishes, and mollusks, these collections are among the 15 largest in the nation. Most of the collection data have been organized within databases, and large portions are accessible via the Internet.
Support for our research and collections come from a variety of external sources. Illinois state agencies, particularly the Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation, provide significant support. We also have federal support through the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Agriculture, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation.
Staff in all sectionsare deeply involved in outreach activities directed at the public, schools, commodity groups, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies. They also collaborate widely with scientists at the University of Illinois, as well as with other universities, private industry, and state, federal, and international agencies.
A few highlights of the kinds of scientific collections we collect and maintain include:
- Botany
- Annelid
- Insect
- Crustacean
- Mollusk
- Fish
- Amphibian & Reptile
- Bird
- Mammal
